“Only One Life To Live,
Soon Will Be Past,
Only What’s Done For Christ Will Last”
Author: C.T. Studd
Over a century old, well known and accepted face value by most.
But, when examined in the light of Scripture, is it exactly right?
Or, could changing one word, a seemingly insignificant preposition, make all the difference to our future and God’s glory?
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it.
But each man must be careful how he builds on it.
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.
If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss;
but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)
What determines the difference between your good works being “gold, silver and precious stones” or “wood, hay and straw”? Does it matters to you what “works” make it to heaven and are rewarded by God and what “works” don’t make it to heaven and are, in fact, “burned up”, disappear and were a waste of your time, though they looked good at the time you did them?
A pastor who realized what makes the difference said, “From a block away, they all look the same.” What makes a “work” divine good or human good (nothing more than “polished flesh”)?
Answer: THE SOURCE
Yes, The Source! Is it “Christ in you” or just “you”? Is it God “willing and working for His good pleasure in you” or just you doing your best for Jesus? To be right on biblically, the old saying should read:
“Only One Life To Live, Soon Will Be Past,
Only What’s Done Through Christ Will Last”